T & T Sections Getting There Where To Stay Activities Visitor Tips Getting Married Watersports Weather Maps Information Request T & T Main Page CTW Main	Trinidad and Tobago are the last links in the Lesser Antilles island chain before it bumps into South America. The southern tip of Trinidad sits just 7 mi/11 km from the coast of Venezuela. The northern third of Trinidad contains mountains known as the Northern Range, which include the island's highest peak, Cerro del Aripo (3,085 ft/941 m). The center and south of the island are relatively flat, consisting of fertile plains that give way to mangrove swamps and beaches at the coast. Tobago, 21 mi/32 km northeast of Trinidad and considerably smaller in size, is dominated by rain-forested hills in the center of the island, with sandy beaches and lush jungles forming its perimeter. Trinidad Trinidad is alluring, but it's not just another carbon-copy paradise. Culturally diverse, the island is a melting pot of people of more than 40 nationalities and ethnic groups, the largest of which are of East Indian and African descent (each accounting for about 40% of the population). The medley is reflected in everything from food, design and language to music, dance and humor. At Carnival time, Trinidad throws the grandest, wildest party in the Caribbean. Divali, the Hindu festival of lights, draws big crowds, too. The islands' capital, Port of Spain is a bustling metropolitan hub of approximately 300,000 people. It only holds a small percentage of the country’s array of diverse tourist attractions. The city’s attractions include a mix of 19th and 20th century architecture, shopping, botanical gardens, fine dining and indigenous restaurants and pulsating nightlife. The pulse of the city is the Brian Lara Promenade, named after the country’s premiere Cricketing hero. The promenade is flanked by Independence Square - not really a square at all, but rather two long streets bordering a it. At Independence Square you can pick up a taxi, find travel agents, banks and cheap eats. Tobago A relatively small island with no large urban center, Tobago can be enjoyed at a slower pace than its bigger neighbor to the southwest. While Trinidad is high energy, Tobago is tranquil - a temptress with idyllic white-sand beaches, shallow offshore reefs and mountain jungles. It's the Caribbean of yesteryear, where a question about a restaurant's hours is likely to be met with: "We open any time for you, sweetheart. You come, we take care of you." The airport town of Crown Point is in the middle of Tobago's main resort area. It's surrounded by palm-fringed, white-sand beaches with good year-round swimming and snorkeling. The attractive fishing villages of Speyside and Charlotteville are interesting out-of-the-way destinations, and the nearby uninhabited islets of Little Tobago, Goat Island and St Giles Island are ecotourist destinations with abundant birdlife. Background The islands came under British control in the 19th century; independence was granted in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing. T & T At A Glance - Trinidad & Tobago at a Glance Language: English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish, Chinese Government: Parliamentary democracy Capital: Port-of-Spain Size: 5,128 sq km, 362 km of coastline Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela Climate: There is a Dry Season from January to May and a Wet or Rainy Season, from June to December. In the Rainy Season, mornings are usually sunny, followed by brief rains in the afternoons. The Dry Season is mostly sunny, with occasional light showers. The islands have an average daytime temperature of 82 F or 28 C that is warm but not unpleasantly humid and nights that are very pleasant. Electricity: 115 volts/230 volts (+/- 6%); 60hz Currency: Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD) Driving: Visitors in possession of valid licenses issued in U.S., Canada, France, U.K., Germany and the Bahamas may drive for up to three months. International licenses are also accepted. Driving is on the left side of the road. Rentals: Car rental agencies are located in Port of Spain, San Fernando and at Piarco International Airport. International rental agency presence at airport. All major credit cards are accepted.
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